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Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Twelve: Using color to express ideas > Silent Cannon, Bridgeport, California, 2004
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18-OCT-2004

Silent Cannon, Bridgeport, California, 2004

This 19th century artillery piece has always stood before the doors of Bridgeport’s Mono County Courthouse. Perhaps it might have once proved useful for keeping order in this rough and ready place. But it has never, ever fired a round. I contrast its weathered gray wood, and brown metal rim and barrel, to the brilliant red wall behind it to make the canon seem ready to roar to life. Red is our most energetic color. If any color can wake up the thunder of this ancient artillery, red should do the trick. Hold your ears!

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Phil Douglis23-Oct-2007 18:12
Thank you, Marcia -- please come often and leave your thoughts. Having seen your own galleries, I know that you would have much to say, and I invite you to say it.
Marcia Manzello23-Oct-2007 05:28
Awesome capture...V
Phil Douglis18-Aug-2007 18:32
Thanks, Cyndy. As for the red building, all I can say is that it was definitely red in October of 2004. I visited Bridgeport once again in the fall of 2006, but can't recall if it is still red or not. I am always looking for the primary colors -- red, blue, and yellow -- they are very emotional, and express feeling and ideas very well. I am glad you are enjoying this image and hope the others in this gallery on color will also be useful to you. And yes, I am a teacher of photographic expression. Have been at it now for almost 40 years. Telling stories with pictures has always been at the center of my life. I offer this instructional "cyberbook" as my way of giving something back to this wonderful form of expression.
Guest 18-Aug-2007 18:19
I've passed by this courthouse many times on my way to the Sierras. I don't remember the building being red. Wonderful find and interesting philosophy on the impact of color. You must be a teacher!
Phil Douglis10-Mar-2006 21:59
Without the red wall behind it, Ramma, this image does not work as expression. I thank you for recognizing this fact.
Ramma 10-Mar-2006 18:12
One of the most powerful images. Love the few colours. sharpness. Brilliant
Phil Douglis27-Feb-2005 03:18
Yes, Jen. I felt the blood and anger when I made this picture the way I did. And thanks for your kind comment on my advice to Anna. I try to be incisive -- it's what teachers should do, right?
Jennifer Zhou02-Feb-2005 09:13
In our chinese culture, red sometimes symbolizes anger. when someone is angry, the face turns to red. And as I saw this picture the first time, I feel like there is an angry face behind the cannon. Anger can sometimes be the causes of wars which lead to suffering.
Also, I am quite interested in your response to Anna, Phil. You said here three steps that every photographer needs to take---what, why and how, very incisive! Thank you very much for sharing your ideas with us!

Jen
Phil Douglis14-Dec-2004 20:48
Thank you, Jim, for this comment. The psychological effect of color is very important to expressive photography. Starting with red, which is the most aggressive color of them all. And artillery is certainly an aggressive subject!
Jim Chiesa14-Dec-2004 06:19
A very simple yet powerful image, Phil. You're right about the red colour, it has such a psychological impact on the cannon and really makes the artillery stick out. Brilliant. I'm holding my ears !
Jim
Phil Douglis11-Dec-2004 18:14
Thanks, Anna. Your response shows you the effect of context on an image. You saw it one way without blood on the mind. And another way after you read the comments. As for the lesson "look for light, then color" it will become instinctive after awhile. Beginners usually concentrate on "what they are shooting" and as they mature, they move on to think about to "why" they are shooting it, and finally they think of the meanings conveyed by context, vantage point, frame, focus, light, and color -- "how" they are shooting it!
Anna Yu11-Dec-2004 07:33
Wow Phil this is the take home lesson from this image. You said "when I'm not looking for light then I'm looking for color". Never thought of it that way. Will keep that in mind, when the light isn't cooperative here. The cannon really pops out from the background here, 3D like. I'm glad you didn't mention the blood at first because it kinda colors the interpretation afterwards. I didn't think of blood at first, because that orange isn't so bloodlike, but once the word was mentioned then all I could think of was blood. But maybe in an unconcious (sp) way the blood was there. I mean, I don't think this picture would have been nearly as nice if the wall was say blue???
Phil Douglis08-Dec-2004 00:45
Very well put, Selvin. When I look at a canon, I hear it roar. And when I look at a sea of red behind it, I, too, think of spilled blood. (I did not mention that in my explanation because I do not like to do all of my viewer's thinking for them.) I am glad you picked up on that, and thank you.
Selvin Chance07-Dec-2004 10:09
Phil,
The contrast between the grey, brown, and copper tones of the canon and the red background gives the canon a 3-dimensional effect. On an emotional level the red adds an intensity that is almost metaphoriclal, the heat of the battle and the blood spilled on the battlefield that never was.
Great imagery. Aloha
Phil Douglis04-Nov-2004 20:29
In spite of the Gallery in which I use an image, Tim, I try not to pigeonhole an image as primarily built around just one aspect of expression or another. Many different factors are at play here. I agree that form brings much to this image -- the interplay of those lines you mention does help structure the photograph and give it dimension. I find your observation on the symbolism of the color red here to be fascinating. I did not originally make the connection between red and killing, but now that you bring it up, it will always be part of this image for me.
Tim May04-Nov-2004 16:52
I know that this image is in the "color" gallery and that that prevails, but line and content also make this, for me, one of your most powerful images. The interplay of straight, circular, and angular line are the icing on the color cake - (I usually eat the icing first) and from the point of view of the content - it is the red splashed behind the canon, reminding us of what canons are used for.
Phil Douglis29-Oct-2004 20:52
Thanks, Ray -- if I am not looking for the light (and there was not much light worth looking for on this particular day) I am looking for color. And I sure found it on the side of a building next door to this courthouse in Bridgeport.
Guest 29-Oct-2004 15:55
Very well seen. I love the composition and the contrast with the bright red background.
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